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Columbus Blue Jackets (Official Thread)

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Blue Jackets Practice at Dispatch Ice Haus

The Blue Jackets will practice at the Dispatch Ice Haus on Wed. Oct. 11 beginning at 10:30 a.m.
DESCRIPTION All practices at the Dispatch Ice Haus are free and open to the public. Practice times and locations are subject to change.

WHEN October 11, Practice starts at 10:30 a.m. WHERE Dispatch Ice Haus
200 W. Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
http://www.bluejackets.com/calendar/event_info.php?id=2459

Anyone ever attend a practice?
 
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Dispatch

A complete game
Jackets hum for all three periods; Zherdev returns and tallies two goals

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Michael Arace
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

20061010-Pc-C2-1000.jpg
</IMG> The Blue Jackets? Rostislav Klesla, left, collides with Ed Jovanovski of the Coyotes during the second period.
20061010-Pc-C1-0600.jpg
</IMG> Rick Nash (61), David Vyborny (9) and Nikolai Zherdev celebrate Zherdev?s second goal during the second period.


The Blue Jackets put together three strong periods against an undisciplined team at Nationwide Arena last night. This was a whipping with a distinct snap to it.
Nikolai Zherdev returned with all of his snake-charming wiles and scored a pair of goals. Rick Nash and Duvie Westcott each had a goal and an assist. David Vyborny had three assists and Anson Carter scored his first goal in Jackets blue.
The Blue Jackets rolled to a 5-1 victory before an announced crowd of 16,298. Is it too early to mention that they?re in first place and lead the league in power-play goals with eight?
"Yeah," Westcott said. "I don?t want to jinx it."
After playing one good period in Game 1 and two good periods in Game 2, the Blue Jackets (2-1) did a cha-chacha over the Coyotes for 60 minutes. The visitors helped by taking 12 penalties.
"First of all," Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky said, "they (the Jackets) played a nice game. They?re a much better team than they were last year. I tried to explain that to our guys. It was a mismatch tonight. They embarrassed us, it?s as simple as that."
The Blue Jackets got instant energy from Zherdev, who signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract Sept. 28 and needed more than a week to work through visa issues and get to Columbus. He arrived Sunday, practiced with the team at yesterday?s morning skate and supplied a jolt by weaving through Coyotes and burying his chances, with help from Nash.
"We picked up right where we left off last year," Nash said. "It was fun."
Zherdev scored 61 seconds into the first period, lifting a rebound off a shot from Nash into the net. The Coyotes tied the game midway through the first period on a goal by Ed Jovanovski. What a wicked shot that was. The teams traded penalties through the middle of the game, and then the Blue Jackets assumed command.
Vyborny threaded a sublime pass to the top of the crease for Nash at 11:08 of the second period. Nash tipped in a nobrainer with a five-on-three advantage.
Just 40 seconds later, Nash was barreling around Derek Morris, driving the net and leaving a gift of a pass on the doorstep for Zherdev. It was the sort of rush that can mark the Blue Jackets, who do not lack for gifted forwards. It gave the Jackets a 3-1 lead and offered comfort to goaltender Pascal Leclaire (23 saves).
Leclaire made the big save ? on a shorthanded breakaway by Owen Nolan in the final seconds of the middle period ? and the outcome seemed inevitable.
"I wouldn?t say they made it easy on us, but (the Coyotes) took a lot of penalties in the second period and gave us momentum," Blue Jackets coach Gerard Gallant said. "The key to the hockey game is we converted on the power play and kept on the gas all night."
The Blue Jackets went 3 for 12 on the power play. They?re 8 for 25 (32 percent) through three games. The word will soon be out: Given their forward strength, and with the addition of Zherdev, they are death with the man advantage. New assistant Gary Agnew has the PP humming.
"We?re young and we?re learning ? that mentality is out the door now," center Manny Malhotra said. "In this league, you?ve got to play three periods. We talked about it coming into this game. We hadn?t done it yet."
Now they have. For only the 10 th time in their 413-game history, they won by more than four goals. There was only one black mark. Center Dan Fritsche suffered a shoulder injury when he struck the boards awkwardly in the first period and did not return. More will be known on Fritsche?s condition today.
[email protected]
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Dispatch

Zherdev?s magical debut offers Jackets fans hope

Tuesday, October 10, 2006


BOB HUNTER

20061010-Pc-C1-1000.jpg
</IMG>


The symbolism was hard to miss. With Nikolai Zherdev?s arrival, the new and improved Columbus Blue Jackets we?ve been hearing about for months were ready for public consumption.
The beta release of this supposed juggernaut that fans tried Friday night had a few bugs, but they worked some of them out Saturday in Chicago. So Zherdev?s first skate and first start and Gilbert Brule?s first scratch of his life presented the image of a team every bit as deep and as talented as many think it is.
Whether Brule deserved to be scratched is debatable, and it?s not the point. Brule, though 19, is considered one of the four or five most talented players on the team. In the unforgiving world where the Blue Jackets resided for the past five seasons, a player of Brule?s talent would never have been scratched for any reason other than attempted murder.
Yesterday, Zherdev skated through a morning skate that Blue Jackets coach Gerard Gallant admitted even he could do, then was placed on the second line, bumping NHL veteran Anson Carter back to the third.
But lest anyone get too excited over that, this is worth considering: Zherdev scored a power-play goal 1:01 into the game. He skated the puck into the zone, fired a pass to Rick Nash and then scored on Nash?s rebound. He scored another power-play goal in the second period, again skating the puck into the zone, passing to Nash and then tipping home Nash?s pass into the slot.
Two goals without a second of training camp? It makes you wonder what in the world the team?s brass was thinking a few weeks ago threatening to let Zherdev stay in Russia. It makes you think maybe all of the Blue Jackets should prepared for the season that way.
"He was playing in that Russian Super League," said Carter, who also had his first goal as a Blue Jacket, "so it wasn?t like he was sitting over there eating cookies and bonbons all day."
Besides 20 games in Russia, Zherdev?s training consisted of yesterday?s morning skate and a 15-minute briefing by Blue Jackets assistant coach Gary Agnew, whose quick shot of wisdom with Zherdev and on the power play might already have him on some NHL teams? prospective coaching lists.
Last night, Zherdev and Nash made it look easy; Nash had a goal and two assists and already has six points in three games.
"Nash is a very good player, so I don?t think it?s a problem to play with Rick Nash," Zherdev said, through an interpreter. "Everybody can play with Rick. He?s an excellent player. And we play together."
They do, maybe for a long while. Zherdev apparently didn?t take any of that early negotiating garbage about him not having "earned" a threeyear contract to heart ? he eventually got it, after all ? and he says he has no hard feelings now..
"I was thinking I would sign a contract sooner or later," he said. "I committed myself to playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets."
He was smiling while he said it, same as he was in his first trip through the Columbus locker room. So if Zherdev really is as "happy" as he says he is and the new Jackets are as good as they looked last night, this team might be as good as some think it is.
Three days after the Jackets left the ice to rare boos at home, Zherdev again showed why he has probably put more fannies in the seats than anyone other than Nash. While he is not close to being the most complete player on the team at this point, sometimes he wields his hockey stick as a magic wand.
"It?s nice to score two goals," Zherdev said, "but it?s more important that the team win."
He mumbled something else, but the interpreter didn?t pick it up. It might have been "Abracadabra."

Bob Hunter is a sports columnist for The Dispatch
.
[email protected]
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ScriptOhio said:
Blue Jackets Practice at Dispatch Ice Haus

The Blue Jackets will practice at the Dispatch Ice Haus on Wed. Oct. 11 beginning at 10:30 a.m.
DESCRIPTION All practices at the Dispatch Ice Haus are free and open to the public. Practice times and locations are subject to change.

WHEN October 11, Practice starts at 10:30 a.m. WHERE Dispatch Ice Haus
200 W. Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
http://www.bluejackets.com/calendar/event_info.php?id=2459

Anyone ever attend a practice?
Click to expand...
yes,it can be nice. honestly nothing super special. but, i go down and get some chipotle and watch every once and awhile. it is fun, but honestly nothing super special. though, if you have kids it is something really cool to do with them. typical it is in the ball park of 30 people so you have a chance to hear everything and a lot of times they will sign for the kids.
 
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si has the jackets at the 19th slot moving up form 21
ps first to name whats odd about this one gets green
19 21 Columbus Blue Jackets (1-0-1)
Who needs the preseason? Nikolai Zherdev obviously doesn't. The 21-year-old, who missed all of camp and the club's first two games, arrived in Columbus on Sunday and went out Monday night to score two goals, helping the Jackets rout the Coyotes 5-1. With David Vyborny, Rick Nash, Fredrik Modin, Anson Carter and Zherdev, the Jackets have plenty in the offensive cupboard. The question is whether Pascal Leclaire can be a true No. 1.
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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/scott_wraight/10/09/power.rankings2/1.html

fox has the bugs at 8
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/powerRankings

cbs has the cbj at 15
http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/powerrankings


looking forward to tsn.ca's rankings
 
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Dispatch

BLUE JACKETS
Gallant sees positive signs in fast start

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Michael Arace
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH




The Blue Jackets have played three games and taken five out of a possible six points. Given their history of slow starts, middling middles and non-playoff finishes, their fans can be forgiven for a brief bout of giddiness, even if the season is only about 1 /27 th complete.
Why not revel in it, as a saloonkeeper in the Arena District did after a Blue Jackets victory Monday night?
"It?s too bad," he said, "that San Jose and Anaheim won. The Jackets could have been in first place."
As in, first place out of 30.
The San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Mighty Ducks stood at 3-0 yesterday morning, the Blue Jackets at 2-0-1, with the loss coming in overtime. They are emerging early in the West, just as the Buffalo Sabres and Atlanta Thrashers are off quickly in the East.
Of all those teams, the Blue Jackets have to be the biggest surprise, if there can be any surprises at this juncture.
Entering last night, left winger Rick Nash was tied for the league lead in points (six) and was second in goals (three). Right winger David Vyborny was tied for the league lead in assists (five) and points (six). Defenseman Duvie Westcott, best known for his work in his own end, had two goals and three assists.
The Blue Jackets, long known for offensive anemia, were leading the league in goals (12) and power-play goals (eight). New assistant Gary Agnew, who is handling the power play, was getting glowing reviews from the players.
"He?s very intelligent," Westcott said, "and he makes everything so simple."
On Monday night, the Phoenix Coyotes visited Nationwide and got sloppy. The Jackets, with one Sergei Fedorov (shoulder injury) tied behind their back, were merciless in a 5-1 victory.
Is it too early to get excited?
"Well ?" coach Gerard Gallant said, making "well" sound like "awww."
"I was happy with (Monday) night?s game; I thought we played real well," Gallant said. "But I didn?t like the way we played our first two games, to be perfectly honest."
Although the depth and potency of the forwards have stood out as the potential hallmarks of the team, Gallant said his greater pleasure is reserved for the way his defense has played to this point.
"People talked about us maybe having a weak defense," Gallant said. "I don?t see that at all. Guys like Duvie Westcott, Ron Hainsey ? we know how good they are. It?s just that maybe other people haven?t seen it yet."
The fans can be forgiven for having lofty thoughts in October. If not now, when?
Nikolai Zherdev steps off a flight from Moscow, cashes his first check and pots two goals before he can adjust his helmet? That has to be a harbinger of better things.
Gallant, he?s just concentrating on the next game, on Saturday night at Minnesota. It?s the one game the Blue Jackets have in a span of 10 days. If they get beaten on the road by a good Wild team, well, perceptions can change quickly.
"We have to concentrate on the moment," Gallant said. "I will say I like the way that we?re a team right now. I don?t think we?re counting on Rick Nash or David Vyborny to do everything. We?re just a better-rounded team. We went through some growing pains and hopefully we?re becoming something better."
[email protected]
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Dispatch

BLUE JACKETS NOTEBOOK
Fritsche might need time to mend injured shoulder

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Michael Arace
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH




Blue Jackets center/winger Dan Fritsche suffered a shoulder subluxation when he was hit and went awkwardly into the boards Monday night. The injury occurred in the first period of a 5-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes in Nationwide Arena.
A shoulder subluxation is a temporary, partial separation. Blue Jackets spokesman Todd Sharrock said Fritsche?s shoulder was still inflamed yesterday. Once the area calms, Sharrock said, a determination will be made on whether Fritsche will be placed on injured reserve.
Fritche has a history of shoulder problems but has suffered little in the five years or so since he had both joints repaired.
Goal scorer?s goal ?

Duvie Westscott?s third-period goal was a beauty. He partially whiffed on a slap shot from the right circle, reloaded and put a wicked wrister past Coyotes goaltender Mike Morrison.
Westcott was asked, tonguein-cheek, how much he practiced the whiff-and-reload, and he played along with his answer.
"Well," he said with a smile, "I took that out of my arsenal, which includes scoring from behind the net and the high flip. I don?t have much, so I?ve got to work with what I?ve got. But seriously, after I fanned, I looked up and saw a wide-open space, and I was just trying to get the shot on net."
Foote on the wall

The Blue Jackets have converted on 8 of 25 power plays (32 percent). They rank near the top of the league in the category. They?ve killed 17 of their 32 penalties (85 percent). They?re in the middle of the pack in penalty killing.
Captain Adam Foote on the impact of the special teams: "My feeling has always been that if the referees wanted to, they could blow the whistle on every shift," he said. "At the beginning of the year, they?re going to make calls, and we all know it. (Against the Coyotes), it was crazy. It almost took the flow right out of the game. It?ll be interesting to see how things develop over the next two to three weeks."
Foote also had a slightly different take on the Blue Jackets? big picture.
"We have depth now," he said. "When guys are dinged up or injured, there?s someone right there to take their place. We have talented guys, but it?s how they?re playing that?s making a difference. Everyone likes playing in traffic. We?re playing hard along the walls. We have defensemen who bang in the corners. That kind of thing is huge in this league. It?s giving us poise and confidence."
Disa and data

The Blue Jackets were given the day off yesterday. Their next game isn?t until Saturday night, when they?ll fly to Minnesota to play the Wild. ? Coach Gerard Gallant doesn?t expect Sergei Fedorov (shoulder) to be ready Saturday night. The possibility remains for a return in the fifth game, against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 20 in Nationwide. ? Before Monday night, the Blue Jackets? last victory by four or more goals was a 6-1 triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 11.
[email protected]
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jimotis4heisman;630894; said:
great to hear? if you want ill give you a five minute run down on who to watch on the sharks if you arent real familar with the game or teams. and if anyone feels foolish pm me, or im sure bk is down with that too
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Hey thanks, do the Blue Jackets and Sharks have any "goal girls", "ice crew". or "ice girls"? They should be on the list of "who to watch". :biggrin:

goalgirls_logo_250.gif


icecrew06a.jpg

0607GroupPhoto.jpg
 
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Dispatch

BLUE JACKETS
McConnell likes what he sees
Team owner has reasons for his optimism this season

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Michael Arace
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH




John H. McConnell enjoys a rare owner/fan relationship with the Blue Jackets faithful. Whenever he?s shown on the Jumbotron in Nationwide Arena, sitting in his owner?s box, folks rise and applaud, as they did on opening night last week.
"Oh, I hear it," McConnell said. "It makes me feel good."
McConnell dropped in on practice yesterday, something he does on occasion. He got a look at the full complement of players, save for the injured. He got to watch Nikolai Zherdev, recently signed and expatriated, go through his first full workout with the team.
If Zherdev?s contract negotiations dragged on for too long, if they took some strange twists and turns, well, the owner said he?s pleased with the outcome.
"I?m happy he?s back," McConnell said. "I was worried there for a while, but ? he played great the other night."
Zherdev, whose new deal is worth $7.5 million over three years, scored two goals in the Blue Jackets? 5-1 win Monday over the Phoenix Coyotes in Nationwide Arena. McConnell, wearing his Jackets ballcap and rubbing his white goatee, watched from his box.
"They looked good," McConnell said. "I?m very pleased with what I?ve seen. They?re playing like ? like we?ve always said they should play."
McConnell laughed.
"They?re playing like they know each other," he said. "It?s a matter of maturity. They?re maturing now."
A month ago while playing host to a charity tournament at his Double Eagle Golf Club, McConnell suffered a broken rib when the three-wheel cart he was riding in tipped over. It was a painful injury, but, he said, he?s just about over it.
"I?m too old to be flipping over in a cart," he said, laughing again.
McConnell, 83, founder and chairman emeritus of Worthington Industries, involves much of his time now in philanthropic pursuits. He also keeps a close eye on his alma mater, Michigan State. And he has an obvious and deep interest in the Blue Jackets.
He wants to see them take a step this year.
Asked to describe his hopes and expectations, he said, "I?d like to make the playoffs, naturally. I don?t say it in public too much, but obviously, I think we?ve got a good chance this year."
[email protected]
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